TINPLATE AND STEEL WORKS, WALES

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the closing down of the Glanrhydd tinplate works, Pontardawe, Messrs. Richard Thomas and Company, Limited, and that a large number of men employed at Messrs. Gilbertson and Company, Limited, have received notice to terminate contracts; will he take steps to restart Glanrhydd and have the notices withdrawn at the other; is he also aware that a number of skilled men have already been taken away from this area to congested areas in England; and will he give assurances that, if these industries are to close permanently, steps will be taken to establish new industries in the area where all the facilities are available for industrial purposes and for accommodating the workers?

I have been asked to reply. I am informed that the discharging of men from Messrs. Gilbertson and Company's steel works was due to a change in the type of orders handled, although the total output of the works was not reduced. The Glanrhyd tinplate works was closed down for the same reason as the Dynevor works, about which I replied to the hon. Member for Llanelly (Mr. J. Griffiths) on 2nd June. With regard to the remainder of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to what I said in that reply to which at the moment I cannot add anything.